The Rime of the Ancient Mariner : Quotations
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a notable literary work by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Quotations
“Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.”
Explanation: This line describes the Mariner and his crew’s suffering on a vast ocean. They are surrounded by saltwater that is undrinkable. The repetition of “water” emphasizes the paradox of their situation—surrounded by water, yet unable to drink.
“He holds him with his glittering eye—
The Wedding-Guest stood still,
And listens like a three years’ child:
The Mariner hath his will.”
Explanation: Here, the Ancient Mariner holds the wedding guest with his glittering eye to tell his story. It hints that there is something supernatural about this ancient-looking man. The wedding guest is angry at first, and he doesn’t want to listen to the mariner. But now, the wedding guest is spellbound. He must hear and learn from the Ancient Mariner’s story.
“Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.”
Explanation: After the Mariner shoots the Albatross, the crew hangs the dead bird around his neck as a symbol of his sin. The comparison to the cross implies (বোঝানো) the Christian concept of sin and repentance (অনুতাপ). The Albatross becomes a burden for the Mariner.
“The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH was she,
Who thicks man’s blood with cold.”
Explanation: This line introduces the supernatural character Life-in-Death. She is a terrifying figure. She “thicks man’s blood with cold”—suggests a chilling, unnatural existence where the Mariner is cursed to suffer without relief.
“Farewell, farewell! but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.”
Explanation: In the closing moments of the Mariner’s tale, he shares his lesson with the Wedding Guest. These lines capture the central moral of the poem: that true prayer comes from love and respect for all creatures, great and small.
“He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.”
Explanation: These lines also capture the central message of the poem. A religious/pious person loves all creatures of God, no matter how big or small. And God is the creator of all, and dear God loves all creatures.
“A sadder and a wiser man,
He rose the morrow morn.”
Explanation: These lines show that the Ancient Mariner’s story has a profound effect on the wedding guest. The wedding guest has learned from the story. He is now a pious and wise man. These closing lines of the poem also suggest we think about the Ancient Mariner’s story.